Error code: %{errorCode}
Club World Cup Fantasy preview: Groups A and B
With the start of the FIFA Club World Cup™ almost upon us, so to is the race to be crowned champion in the tournament's official fantasy game.
Here, FIFA provides an fantasy-focused overview of each of the eight groups, with options for stars to consider at each club, along with value picks, set-piece takers and some ownership insights.
Things kick off with Groups A and B, featuring global stars Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez and Ousmane Dembele.
Play the official FIFA Club World Cup Fantasy game
Group A (Al Ahly FC, FC Porto, Inter Miami CF, Palmeiras)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Overview: The Cairo giants enter the tournament with serious ambition to go deep into the latter stages and in an open group could be a profitable source of fantasy points. While there is some uncertainty around the preferred options for new head coach Jose Riveiro there’s no doubt that the standout fantasy option is central midfielder Emam Ashour ($4.7m).
The 27-year-old finished the recently-completed domestic campaign with 13 goals and seven assists while Palestinian forward Wessam Abou Ali ($4.2m) also caught the eye with 10 goals and three assists.
Having conceded just 18 goals from 25 league outings, the defence could also be an option with central defender Mostafa Al Aash ($4.0m) and veteran keeper Mohamed El Shenawy ($4.1m) both appealing options.
Key contributors: Emam Ashour ($4.7m), Wessam Abou Ali ($4.2m)
Value picks: Mostafa Al Aash ($4.0m), Mohamed El Shenawy ($4.1m)
Set-piece takers: Emam Ashour ($4.7m), Marwan Attia ($4.7m)
Top picks: Emam Ashour (32%), Wessam Abou Ali (18%), Mohamed El Shenawy (16%)
FC Porto (Portugal)
Overview: Having finished third in the Portuguese league for the second year running, Porto will be out to show they can cut it with the global elite. Closing the domestic campaign with three straight wins, where they scored eight goals, offers an insight into their attacking threat. The dynamic Samu Aghehowa ($4.2m) was ultra-impressive with 25 goals in all competitions last season while 18-year-old starlet Rodrigo Mora ($4.2m) burst onto the scene with ten goals and four assists in the league.
It's at the back where perhaps even greater values lies with left wing-back Francisco Moura ($4.1m) laying on ten assists (along with three goals) and keeper Diogo Costa ($5.4m) being an ever-present clean sheet contender, although he is set to miss the opener with injury.
Key contributors: Samu Aghehowa ($4.2m), Francisco Moura ($4.1m)
Value picks: Rodrigo Mora ($4.2m), Joao Mario ($4.9m)
Set-piece takers: Samu Aghehowa ($4.2m), Fabio Vieira ($5.7m)
Top picks: Francisco Moura (14%), Rodrigo Mora (9.5%), Samu Aghehowa (7%)
Inter Miami (USA)
Overview: One of three clubs from the host nation, Inter Miami enter the tournament off the back of consecutive league wins in which they scored four and five goals. Lionel Messi ($10.5m) and Luis Suarez ($8.0m) had 11 goal contributions between them in those outings, with the Argentine wizard already among the most popular picks in the game.
Without a clean sheet in the past ten fixtures in all competitions it makes sense to perhaps focus on the key attacking threats the club possesses although some may baulk at hefty outlay that Messi and Suarez require, making the likes of Telasco Segovia ($4.8m), with four goals and three assists in the league so far, an appealing option.
Key contributors: Lionel Messi ($10.5m), Luis Suarez ($8.0m)
Value picks: Telasco Segovia ($4.8m), Tadeo Allende ($5.2m)
Set-piece takers: Lionel Messi ($10.5m), Luis Suarez ($8.0m)
Top picks: Lionel Messi (18%), Jordi Alba (4%), Sergio Busquets (3%)
Palmeiras (Brazil)
Overview: One of four Brazilian clubs at the tournament, Palmeiras enter off the back of a strong run of form that has seen them win eight of their past ten matches in all competitions. During that spell it’s been their defence that has stood out, conceding just eight goals from their first 11 league outings and that brings the likes of left-back Joaquin Piquerez ($5.1m) – an option to also take penalties – firmly onto the radar.
In terms of attacking output, Chelsea-bound wonderkid Estevao ($5.5m) has already created three assists in the league and could well be the primary set-piece taker, while winger Facundo Torres ($6.3m) also offers both assist and goal potential.
Key contributors: Facundo Torres ($6.3m), Estevao ($5.5m)
Value picks: Joaquin Piquerez ($5.1m), Weverton ($4.9m)
Set-piece takers: Estevao ($5.5m), Joaquin Piquerez ($5.1m),
Top picks: Estevao (4%), Weverton (1.3%), Raphael Veiga (1.1%)
Group B (Atlético de Madrid, Botafogo, Paris Saint-Germain, Seattle Sounders FC)
Atlético Madrid (Spain)
Overview: Having shone during a club-record 15-match winning run in the middle of the season, Atlético Madrid arrive in the USA with serious title ambitions and they are not short of quality fantasy options either.
With 29 goals in all competitions last season, Julian Alvarez ($9.0m) looms as one of the safer options at a club where rotation is a possibility under Diego Simeone while Rodrigo De Paul ($6.3m) offers tackle upside as well as goal and assist potential.
Having conceded less than a goal a game in La Liga, the defensive options, led by keeper Jan Oblak ($5.5m) and central defenders Robin Le Normand ($5.2m) and Clement Lenglet ($5.2m) also appeal.
Key contributors: Julian Alvarez ($9.0m), Antoine Griezmann ($8.5m)
Value picks: Robin Le Normand ($5.2m), Jan Oblak ($5.5m)
Set-piece takers: Julian Alvarez ($9.0m), Antoine Griezmann ($8.5m)
Top picks: Julian Alvarez (10%), Jan Oblak (5.5%), Robin Le Normand (2.4%)
Botafogo (Brazil)
Overview: The reigning champions of both Brazil and South America find themselves in a tough section but still offer plenty of intriguing fantasy upside, notably at the back. Having conceded just seven goals from their first 11 domestic outings this season there’s plenty of appeal in their defensive assets, notably Alex Telles ($5.1m) who could be on penalties, as well as corners and free-kicks.
Further forward, Igor Jesus ($4.1m) will look to continue his fine form ahead of a possible move to England and with three goals and an assist already in the league this campaign he’s a probable source of goals while being very reasonably priced.
Key contributors: Jefferson Savarino ($5.8m), Alex Telles ($5.1m)
Value picks: Igor Jesus ($4.1m), John ($4.6m)
Set-piece takers: Alex Telles ($5.1m), Jefferson Savarino ($5.8m),
Top picks: Alex Telles (4.3%), Danilo Barbosa (3.4%), Cristhian Loor (1%)
Download the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ App
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Overview: Fresh off a stunning win over FC Internazionale Milano in the UEFA Champions League final, PSG offer fantasy points aplenty right across the pitch. While the fitness of Ousmane Dembele ($10m) – listed in the game as a midfielder - lessens his initial appeal, it boosts those of others including Desire Doue ($8.2m) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ($9.2m).
If Vitinha ($6.1m) is on penalty duties that heightens his appeal in midfield while right-back Achraf Hakimi ($6.5m) is the most expensive defender in the game but arguably worth every cent having delivered an absurd nine goals and 14 assists in all competitions last season.
Key contributors: Ousmane Dembele ($10.0m), Achraf Hakimi ($6.5m)
Value picks: Vitinha ($6.1m), Desire Doue ($8.2m)
Set-piece takers: Vitinha ($6.1m), Ousmane Dembele ($10.0m)
Top picks: Achraf Hakimi (47%), Ousmane Dembele (32%), Nuno Mendes (30%)
Seattle Sounders (USA)
Overview: Another of the clubs from the host nation, Seattle enter the tournament in modest form, having lost three of their past six outings and in a very tricky section it’s hard to see a great deal of fantasy gold at the Sounders.
That said, attacking midfielder Albert Rusnak ($5.4m) certainly stands out and with seven goals and three assists so far in the MLS he’s been the team’s most prominent performer, especially with issues around the fitness of Jordan Morris ($5.4m).
At the other end, in a group where he will face plenty of shots, keeper Stefan Frei ($4.8m) may present value in terms of saves.
Key contributors: Albert Rusnak ($5.4m), Jordan Morris ($5.4m)
Value picks: Stefan Frei ($4.8m), Obed Vargas ($5.1m)
Set-piece takers: Albert Rusnak ($5.4m), Jordan Morris ($5.4m)
Top picks: Georgi Minoungou (0.8%), Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (0.7%), Stefan Frei (0.3%)
